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Early sepia postcard of Iona Abbey altar, c.1920. Note the unusual altar cross (not the same as the present day one). The cross in the photograh may well have been made by Alexander Ritchie, who was making large freestanding crosses of various designs only about 750 yards away from the Abbey at this time, in his island workshop at Shuna Cottage. A lovely window (both literally and metaphorically) into the past, from around 90 years ago.



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Very evocative early sepia photograph of St Oran's roofless chapel, c.1895, by George Washington Wilson. Alec Ritchie would have been about 30 years old when this was taken.



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Sepia postcard of Iona village c.1920, with what is believed by some to be Alexander Ritchie walking towards the camera. A wonderful glimpse into Iona life nearly 90 years ago. Note the 'free range' hen on the left side of the road. It must have had a good life!



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Here is a very rare little window into Iona activity nearly 120 years ago. These pictures, which are from a Victorian 'magic lantern' slide, show MacBrayne's Paddle Steamer anchored in the Sound of Iona, and passengers being rowed from the boat across to a very basic landing jetty on Iona. Bearing in mind the wind and weather, it would have required a calm day to land in such a small boat. This would limit landings for visitors mainly to summer months, and even then, landing-times would have been only in favourable conditions.





Very high quality Victorian sterling silver St Martin's cross, on an Iona (or possibly Connemara) marble base. Nice sharp hallmarks for 1899. Overall height aprox 5.5". This is a rare 'pre-Ritchie' piece, the maker is Cornelius Joshua Vander (J.V) of London. Probably made for (and perhaps designed by?) one of the several Oban tourist shops of the late Victorian period (as there were no shops at this time on Iona). This is a quality piece, with excellent and precise detail. At the time of writing it is 109 years old.


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